STEP 2: PLEASE FAX OR MAIL A COPY (“cc”) to the Department of Finance(no calls/email)

Michael Cohen, Director

Department of Finance

915 L Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

Fax: (916) 323-0060

“TALKING POINTS”:

·First, thank the Governor for his commitment to funding the Bridgeport Covered Bridge Restoration Project in his 2014-15 Budget proposal, which sets aside $1.261 million to restore and reopen the bridge.

·Respectfully urge the Governor to adopt conforming language to mirror the actions of the Assembly and Senate Budget Sub-Committees on Resources and approve the additional $1 million from Proposition 84 funds to fully fund restoration of the bridge in 2014-2015. This will ensure that funding will be available through the various stages of stabilization, permitting and full restoration.

·Personalize (briefly) with your own remarks; such as your personal connection to the bridge, importance to the region, etc.

·Emphasize that time is of the essence in this particular case: the Covered Bridge has been closed since 2011 and is at risk of collapse. It’s a state and national landmark that must be saved.

SAMPLE LETTER (revise in your own words if you would like!):

June, 2014

The Honorable Governor Jerry Brown

State Capitol, Suite 1173

Sacramento, CA 95814

Re:Approve full funding for the Bridgeport Covered Bridge Restoration Project

Dear Governor Brown,

Thank you for your commitment to fund the Bridgeport Covered Bridge Restoration Project in the 2014-15 Budget proposal.The $1.261 million set aside to complete the Bridgeport Covered Bridge Restoration Project is essential for the restoration of this National and California historic landmark.

We respectfully urge you to adopt conforming language to mirror the actions of the Assembly and Senate Budget Sub-Committees on Resources and approve the additional $1 million from Proposition 84 funds to fully fund restoration of the bridge in 2014-2015.This will ensure that funding will be available through the various stages of stabilization, permitting and full restoration.

This project is urgently needed so the South Yuba River State Park can resume contributing substantial funds to the region’s economy. As the longest single span covered bridge in the world, it is one of the major attractions to Nevada County.According to the Department of Parks and Recreation, this park attracts up to 890,000 visitors per year. Tourism is vital to the Nevada County area, and we can’t afford to wait any longer while this project languishes.

It is urgent to address this now before a significant rainfall occurs.World Weather Watch predictions range from 52% – 66% probability of El Niño developing by this fall.Any rise in the river before the bridge is stabilized could cause catastrophic failure to this historical landmark.

Our community has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funding needed to restore and reopen the historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge at the South Yuba River State Park.In 2011 the Department of Parks and Recreation closed the bridge to pedestrian traffic after an engineering survey found severe and unsafe structural problems. For three years now, we have seen children and their families come to visit the Bridgeport Covered Bridge, only to be turned away from truly experiencing this historical treasure.

The fate of Bridgeport, a symbol of California’s historic gold rush legacy, and a significant engineering accomplishment to the world, is now in your hands. We have unanimous support from our local elected officials. The City Councils of Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee along with Nevada County Supervisors have all adopted resolutions in favor of the bridge restoration project urging lawmakers to support this critical work.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

[Your Name and Address]

THE PROBLEM: THE BRIDGEPORT COVERED BRIDGE IS CLOSED AND IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE

An important California Gold Rush era icon is threatened and needs your help. In 2011, State Parks closed the BridgeportCovered Bridge to pedestrian traffic after engineers found severe and unsafe structural problems. The engineers estimated it will cost over $1 million to restore this treasured State and National Landmark, which is the longest single span wooden covered bridge in the world.

THE SOLUTION: The “Save Our Bridge” Campaign Committee has been working diligently to restore and reopen the historic wood covered bridge spanning the SouthYubaRiver at Bridgeport. The Good News is that there has been a breakthrough: Governor Brown has in his proposed budget funds needed to complete the restoration and reopen the Bridge. Also, both the Senate and Assembly Budget Sub-committee have done the same. But now is not the time to get complacent – there is intense competition for limited state funds and anything can happen in the last days of the State Budget process.

HOW YOU CAN HELP NOW:Now we need YOU to contact Governor Brown right away (before June 13th) and let him know how important saving the Bridgeport Covered Bridge is to you and our Golden State.